Join naturalists as they track animals and search for avian species, such as raptors, horned larks, buntings & winter finches and others, at McCoy Nature Preserve. Tracks of secretive mammals may make the day complete.

Travel by Museum van and check out the tough guys who spend the frigid winter days at Pymatuning. Target species are raptors (maybe a Bald Eagle or two), migrating Swans and Grebes, and wintering forest birds.

The boardwalk and trails at Mentor Marsh can be a great place for bird-watching and nature observation. Join us as we take a late winter walk through Mentor Marsh. Along the way, we will learn about identifying shrubs and trees in the winter months. We will discuss the invasive species that threaten Mentor Marsh and ways that the Museum has utilized the cold winter months for invasive species control on our preserves.

Springfield Bog Metro Park in Summit County opened in January of 2011. A prairie grassland habitat was planted, using over 40 species of native plants. Home to Bobolinks and Grasshopper Sparrows, late winter could bring those species which hunt this habitat for food and shelter. We are hoping to find Short-eared Owls, Marsh Harriers, Snow Buntings and Horned Larks.

Join us as we travel to select localities in Northeastern Ohio searching for flocks of migratory Tundra Swans, early nesting Bald Eagles, diving ducks and other open water waterfowl, late winter raptors and whatever else the season will bring. We will visit LaDue, Mosquito Creek and Pymatuning Reservoirs as well as wooded and open habitats in between seeking signs of spring. In past years we have seen hundreds of swans at a time, and upwards of a dozen eagles.

Amazing birding can be found at the Mahoning Sanctuary in Mahoning County. Using buds, bark and the scratch and sniff method, we will have a lesson in winter tree identification. Perhaps a river otter will pop in for a quick look!

Jump in the Museum van for this birding excursion to Findlay State Park, Caley Reservation and the Wellington and Oberlin Reservoirs. Targets species are waterfowl, raptors, gulls and any other nature sightings. Plan to warm up at a local lunch spot to celebrate St. Paddy's Day. (cost of lunch is not included in the trip)

At up to 14 inches, Tiger Salamanders are big! This early spring adventure is an opportunity to witness one of the giants of the salamander world. The preserve we'll be visiting has a handicapped accessible boardwalk.

Help us to find those early species that have to blend in with little available vegetation at this time of year. Target species are American Woodcock, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Rough-legged Hawk and more. The vernal pools may provide other "spotted" creatures for inspection.

Old man winter is reluctantly releasing his grip, and the salamanders and frogs know it! If the conditions are right, the sound of spring can be deafening with the calls of spring peepers and wood frogs around sunset.

Join us for an exciting foray in to the nocturnal world of amphibians at Spokane Swamp. This preserve consists of an extensive matrix of vernal pools. We will learn to identify the calls of the various frogs that inhabit the preserve, and we will search for elusive salamanders.

Spend a spring day canoeing in the gorge of the state designated Wild and Scenic Grand River. We continue to work on keeping this "Gorge-ous" section of the river from being overrun by alien Garlic Mustard. We'll also be stopping to admire the old growth Hemlock ravines and waterfalls at the Museum's own Cash/Hertrick Preserve.

Join us for a tour of classic structures with a close look at local and imported stones used in their construction. We will study the stone architecture and setting of bridges, churches and other structures. Sites include; Old Viaduct, St. John's Episcopal Church, the Lorain-Carnegie Bridge and St. Patrick's Church.

Old man winter is reluctantly releasing his grip, and the salamanders and frogs know it. Early April often brings the first warm air mass and the smells and sounds of spring. If the conditions are right, the sound of spring can be deafening with the calls of spring peepers and wood frogs around sunset. Join us for some "hands-on" fun as we track down these tiny critters with impressive voices! We will also search for salamanders in the many vernal pools that are found at the preserve.

The Big Swamp is a big deal in Ohio conservation efforts. Overall, the habitat is rare in Ohio. Drainage for agriculture and development has eliminated most of Ohio's natural wetland communities. This large tract is a prime example of natural history preserved.

Search out the salamanders and other aquatic wonders that make their home at the Hadlock Preserve. Both the riverine and vernal pool environments will be explored.

Twilight is an exciting time to explore the diverse habitats found at the North Kingsville Sand Barrens. We will keep our eyes open for woodcock who may be utilizing the meadows and trails for courtship at dusk. We will also seek out some of the naturally occurring springs at the preserve and keep our ears open for owls along the trails.

Springtime in Ashtabula County is a must see event. The Grand River Terraces offers wonderful examples of wildflowers, vernal pool life and hosts a magnificent, diverse floodplain environment. Bird migration should provide plenty of sights and songs.

Hidden in the canyons of Cleveland is the world's fastest bird, the Peregrine Falcon. This once critically endangered species has made a stunning comeback over the past 30 years. We will tour downtown Cleveland in search of these "sleek missiles" capable of "stooping" at speeds in excess of 200mph. We will look for signs of success during this nesting time, at regional areas, particularly the Terminal Tower. We might also find the smaller American Kestrel and other birds that pass through or dwell in Cleveland.

Join us as we explore the wide diversity of wildflowers that occur at the Cash-Hertrick Preserve. The last weekend in April is quite often the peak time for viewing woodland wildflowers, which should present many photo opportunities. We will wrap up the hike with a visit to a scenic waterfall which is hidden in a deep ravine at the preserve.

Join Naturalists in their search to re-locate West Virginia White butterflies at the Museum's own Koelliker Fen in Geauga County. These small white butterflies were last seen in the fen in the 1980's.

Spring is a beautiful season to take a walk along the scenic Chagrin River. We will look at some of the native wildflowers that are growing on the floodplain and take time to pull the invasive garlic mustard that we encounter along the way. We will also explain why removing garlic mustard is so crucial to maintaining the quality of floodplain ecosystems. Light refreshments will be provided for all participants at the end of the hike.

Help Naturalists in their search for West Virginia White butterflies, wildflowers and more at the Chamberlin Preserve near Middlefield, Ohio.

We will be looking for early nesting Neotropical warblers and thrushes at the Beaver Creek State Park in East Liverpool. In recent years Common Merganser have nested along Little Beaver Creek. Come along for a day of breathtaking geology, botany, birds and fun.

Have you ever seen Painted Trillium and Pink Lady's Slippers by the dozens? Join us for a stunning botanical foray into Western Pennsylvania's Allegheny National Forest to see these beauties. Impressive geologic overlooks have created a special haven for many plants and creatures.

Some of the BEST spring migration birding can be found in Ohio with songbirds, waterfowl, raptors and waders, we hope to see and identify moe than 100 species among our group. This BIG DAY trek to Magee Marsh Wildlife Area and Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge is a must for ALL BIRDERS. Novice and experienced birders will delight in the opportunity to observe the awe of the migration spectacle that is unfolding before you!

Accompany Naturalists to the Sawdust Tract to seek out species that are rare and not often seen. The species we are targeting could be "lifers" for participants.

European settlers in Ohio from the early 19th century described its vast grasslands (Prairie is French for "meadow"). These writing describe the prairies, noting the plants and animals encountered there. We will be visiting one of the largest remaining prairies in Ohio, Resthaven Wildlife Area. We'll be on the lookout for critters not known from Northeast Ohio.

Trek through various Western Pennsylvania Gamelands with us while we search for unusual special that are protected by their extensive land system.

Join Botany and Natural areas staff as we take a late-summer hike through a unique upland forest protected by the Cleveland Metroparks. Nestled in a Cleveland neighborhood, this part of the Rocky River Reservation features scenic views, deep winding ravines, and a mature forest canopy which is perched overlooking a beautiful stretch of the Rocky River and Big Met Golf Course. Additionally we are likely to see a number of rare plants that are found in a unique plant community known as a Slump.

The Perseids Meteor Shower is at its best in mid-August and we are going to the darkest place we can find to see it. Capitol  Reef National Park in southern Utah not only offers some of the darkest and clearest skies in the country, but it also has a rich cultural and natural history. Participants will have the opportunity to view the meteor shower every night for three days and possibly see up 60 meteors an hour during peak times, with the help of CMNH educators. There will also be optional daytime excursions to see pictographs and petroglyphs from the ancient Fremont culture, the historic Fruita orchards, and awe-inspiring geological features. Our group will be hosted in dormitory-style accommodations by Capitol Reef Field Station, run by Utah Valley University, located at the heart of the national park.